Blurb

Sadly ever after. . . unless some dreams really do come true?
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Elinor Burkenstock never believed in fairy tales. Sure, she’s always been a fool for love—what woman isn’t? But Elinor knows the difference between fiction and truth. Daydreams and reality. True love and false promises. . . . Until the unthinkable happens, and Elinor’s engagement is suddenly terminated and no one, least of all her fiancé, will tell her why.
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Sir Michael Rollins’s war-hero days seem far behind him when, after onelast hurrah before his wedding, he gets shot and his injuries leave him in dire shape. He wants nothing more than to marry Elinor, the woman of his wildest dreams. But Elinor’s father forbids it . . . and soon Michael is faced with a desperate choice: Spare Elinor a life with a broken man or risk everything to win her heart—until death do they part?

About the Author:

A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She’s never looked back.

A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.

Look for her on the Historical or Paranormal Romance shelves. A.S. is the author of The Demon Hunters series, The End of Days Trilogy, Wishing Game, and more. A.S. will be bringing you her brand of edgy romance for years to come.

Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in the East Texas with her real life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden. Her babies are both rescues and include; a demanding dog and a temperamental cat, both bring constant joy and laughter.

Today’s topic come from Fiona Riplee – I’m curious what everyone is working on. Write about a new work in progress, new idea, or some characters that just won’t leave you alone.

I’m currently working on A Passion for Painting, the first of what I hope to be a series set in my new home town of Bayside. And the character who won’t leave me alone right now is Jack Thompson.

Jack is an artist with a whole lot of money and a whole lot of personal baggage he’s hauling around. He’s running away from himself and the ghost of his father. Rachel, our local barista, is going to have her hands full with this one.

Brenda Margriet provides today’s topic: What kind of animal person are you? Do you have pets? If so, how do they influence your writing, or don’t they? What is the most unusual pet you’ve had, either as a child or adult?

This is an interesting topic for me. Having missed having a childhood, and being thrown into a very active adult life, I’ve never had time to get a pet. But now that Amy and I are starting to settle in to a more comfortable life in Bayside, I’m thinking now is the time to add a pet into the mix.

But I wouldn’t be me if I just settled on a common dog, cat, bird, or fish, so I am opting for a ferret.

I think I’ll name him Timmy. Yeah, Timmy the Ferret. He can hide in the pocket of my coat and pop out to charm the ladies. Amy loves the idea, so we’re going shopping later today.

Ms. Fenichel also supplied today topic: Choose one of your books and tell us where the idea came from. Was it a dream, an overheard conversation, did it spark from a previous book you wrote? How did the idea come to you and how did it evolve into a full story. If you want to share a snippet, that would be awesome too. 😀

It’s hard to believe this happened over three years ago. It seems like only yesterday I was messing around with the Points Club. I consider it my “growth” period. Anyway, speaking of messing around, the inspiration for Whipped Cream and Other Delights actually came from an old record album cover, but it turned into a tasty sexual encounter.

Leslie Hachtel asks: A writer I know sets her mood with candles and music that suit her characters. Do you do anything special to put you in the right frame of mind to sit down and create?

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time in my local coffee shop, Harbor Grind. The owner, Rachel, has been very accommodating, giving me a corner table with an excellent view of her shop and the interesting people flowing through it every day. And nothing gets me in the mood to write like one of her caramel mochas. Write, drink, repeat.

Rachel and her customers have inspired countless stories I’m in the process of writing, and her coffee always puts me in the mood.

Today’s topic comes from A.S. Fenichel – If you live in the U.S., How did you spend yesterday? Tell us about your Independance day weekend. Now make up a really short story about how you wish you’d spent it. Can be as long or as short as you want, but make us wish we’d been there too. Oh and if you live outside the U.S., you can join the fiction part. If you were visiting during the 4th of July holiday, how do you imagine the day? GET CREATIVE!

On the down side, being a fictional character, HE pretty much ignored me all weekend to indulge in all manner of fun and festivities. On the plus side, this blog forces him to give me a bit of fun for myself. So, here’s really (fictionally speaking) how I spent my 4th of July.

*****

A day on the beach, a picnic basket full of food, a a couple ice cold beers went a long way to pulling my head out of the story I was writing. Amy in her bikini is always a great diversion as well.

I’d surprised Amy with the little getaway, getting everything ready before she even made her way out of bed that morning.

“Come on. It’ll be fun.”

She didn’t disagree.

Thought the Bayside beach was crowded, we found a spot to lay our towels and set up the cooler, then took some time to swim and fool around in the waves before settling in. We’re both nose deep in books right now, but there’s no better feeling then Amy laying on my lap while I read a sexy new release.

A break for lunch followed by an easy afternoon absorbed in a book. What could be better?

But as the sun sunk toward the horizon I had one more surprise for her.

“Jack Thompson lent me his boat for tonight.”

God I love it when Amy smiles. “Really?”

Jack is this rich, artist friend of mine. I really need to write his story sometime. Anyway his boat is a pretty good sized yacht.

An hour and a half later I’m pushing two arm-less chases together as the stars begin to twinkle overhead. The breeze turns a bit chill, so I pull a cover over Amy and myself as the first bang lights up the sky.

With the waves gently rocking the boat, Amy and I set off a few fireworks of our own under the cover.

Today’s topic is offered by the amazing A.S. Fenichel – Choose one of your books and tell us where the idea came from. Was it a dream, an overheard conversation, did it spark from a previous book you wrote? How did the idea come to you and how did it evolve into a full story. If you want to share a snippet, that would be awesome too.

Oh, fun.

Lets take my latest, Suburban Spies.

After a night of watching:

and:

…back to back, I went to bed with sexy spies on my mind and woke up the next morning with the basic plot for Suburban Spies.

***

Here’s a little snippet:

Jennifer hefted Slade’s body off her shoulder and onto the sofa in his basement man cave. Big screen TV, X-Box, Blueray player, and all the big-boy toys a man could want. Framed movie posters lined the walls. Terminator, Guardians of the Galaxy, the Expendables . . .

Seriously, Transformers? Ugh!

“You’ve redecorated since I was last down here, lover boy.”

She exited to retrieve the hardware store goodies she’d bought. She hadn’t needed to use any of it on Alexie Youchinko. The Russian agent, her one-time partner, had cracked almost the moment he’d caught sight of her. He’d known his goose was cooked. Sometimes revenge was so sweet.

Not one to waste good hardware, she’d brought everything back from France with her. The cuffs, chains, and manacles had the Homeland Security boys at the airport looking at her sideways. She chuckled. That alone made lugging all the extra weight through the airport so worth it.

Back in the basement she sorted through the heavy hardware. “Now, where would he put his—? Ah.” A multi-drawer tool chest stood in the corner, a drill driver in its charging stand on top.

Slade snorted where he dozed. The handsome cut of his jaw line was relaxed in repose, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. She resisted the urge to run her hands once more across his lean, solid frame. She needed to complete her installation before Slade woke up.